New R.E.8 pencil study

[Russell Smith]

Here's a new pencil study for an upcoming painting. This is a Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 - affectionately known to its crews as the "Harry Tate". Its was a stable platform for observation and photography, but it suffered from poor maneuverability and thus, tended to be an easy target for German fighters. This particular machine served with 16Sq RFC.

image size 15.5" x 6.5"
pencil on vellum



Russ

[ONEALM]

Nice job Russ. This is one of those "so-ugly-it's-pretty" airplanes, but this is about the best view to soften up some of the rough spots in it's profile.

From a pilot's point of view, it looks to me like you could never see anything forward in this airplane.

Looking forward to the color study.....

[Russell Smith]

Yeah, I really fell for the lines of this one when I saw the one down in the OHC in NZ. It really is attractive in a way that only a WW1 enthusiast could appreciate.

Russ

[greatwarpilot]

Russ,

Great looking study Russ. You've picked a great perspective from which to appreciate the old 'harry tate'. I particularly like the way you've depicted the gunner/observer. Is he just scanning the sky or is taking aim at an inbound hun bus?

Mike - good point about the pilot's visibility. One advantage of the type was probably the proximity of the pilot and observer - compared to say the Brisfit in which they're pretty spaced out.

Cheers,

[Russell Smith]

Thanks Ed. In this particular piece he'll just be scanning. Actually, the aircraft will be in a low bank and he'll be looking down towards the ground.

[greatwarpilot]

Aaaahh. Very nice. Quite appropriate!

[ONEALM]

Actually, the aircraft will be in a low bank and he'll be looking down towards the ground.

Just picking out a place to crash.....

One advantage of the type was probably the proximity of the pilot and observer -

That's useful so the pilot can clearly hear the observer say "Holy Crap, here comes the ground....!"

All kidding aside though for all the bad press the airplane has gotten over the years, I think the airplane was quite well liked by most crews once they got comfortable with them.

A New Jersey boy, Jay Pollins was with 21 Squadron for exactly one week before he got himself in a departure stall accident in an RE-8. He's still buried at Pernes, just a short distance from the aerodrome at Florighem where he was killed. Not enough time to get familiar with the airplane....

Not that it's all bad - Elijah Plum from Newark NJ was with 13 Squadron on RE-8's - he survived the war....

-Mike

[AAC Cadet Leader]

that's beautiful pencil work, russ!

[Gregvan]

Terrific work as always, Russ. You've captured the character of the old bird beautifully. As I recall, the Aussies of No. 3 Sqdn AFC regarded the RE8 with great affection and flew it pretty much like a Brisfit.

Greg

[josquin]

Russell,
Great work! As was true for the Fokker DVII study, your rendering
of the Harry Tate brings out all the special qualities, the intrinsic
character, that only a pilot--or an artist--can see. Once again,
your study shows us all that is lost in photography's stark, schematic
two-dimensionality. I look forward to the final painting!
regards josquin